BY LOUIS C. WARD, TIMES CONTRIBUTING WRITER
LEESBURG – Joseph, Mary, King Herod, and the Three Wisemen made the birth of Christ story come alive when they engaged parents, siblings, family, and friends with their spectacular performance of “A Savior Is Born” Friday evening, December 20, 2024, at Leesburg Christian Academy (LCA), their school, located at 1414 W. Main Street, Leesburg, Florida.
Written by LCA teachers and performed by the entire student body, “A Savior Is Born” is the first community endeavor for parents, families, and friends. From community feedback on Facebook and live comments, the Christian school’s first play was a successful hit with the audience.
Executing his vision, John Christian, Senior Pastor of Christian Worship Center (CWC), opened LCA, probably the first Black-owned Christian school in Leesburg, on August 12, 2024, at the church’s main Leesburg campus at 1414 E. Main Street, Leesburg, Florida. With a dedicated administration and teaching staff, LCA is undoubtedly doing very well with more students registered for the spring semester which begins on January 6, 2025.
The play focused on the birth of Jesus Christ and Joseph’s and Mary’s experiences of not finding a place to stay for Jesus’ birth. The Messiah came into the world in a lowly manger in a barn, and had to be protected from King Herod. While the acting was left to upper-class students, kindergarteners, first, and second graders provided the vocals, singing “Hark the Herald Angels Sing,” “Mary Did You Know,” and “Joy to the World.”
The children’s daily rehearsals paid off. They acted with confident, knowing their lines and precision and singing in harmony. During the play, of cause the children created memorable moments of joy and laughter. Little kindergartner, Major Brown, with a strong voice bigger than he was, immediately captivated his parents and others with his opening prayer. Then, Joseph’s response when he learned that Mary was pregnant with Baby Jesus: “How can that be? We are yet to be married. This is too much. I need to lay down.” The audience’s reactions included funny verbal responses, hand clapping, and facial gestures, showing their engagement with their children’s performances.
“I was filled with immense joy and pride with my students. Their dedication to learning their lines, songs, and dances inspired me,” said Czenobia Christian, LCA’s principal. “It just proved to me that the students can learn and do what their minds are set out to do. I cannot wait for the next project because I know my students will do even better.”
“LCA’s students were very confident. They performed with compassion and precision. The administration and staff are to be commended for a job well done”, said John Christian, Senior Pastor of CWC and LCA’s School Leader. “I want to thank those parents who trusted us and allowed us to educate their children.”
“I was a proud Moma, said Ms. Snow, mother of Aleah, who portrayed Mary, and Ricardo, who played one of the Wisemen, and Anyla, who sang. “The play was very educational because the children and I learned a lot about the birth of Jesus and I enjoyed it.”
The young thespians performing in “A Savior Is Born” were Calonie Goodwin (Gabriel the angel); Aleah Snow (Mary); Jacob Taylor (Joseph); Reginald Green, Ty’riece Moton, and Ri’cardo Snow (Three Wise Men); Ka’monii Bell, Seth Gardner (Two Shepherds); Asani Thompson (Anna); Karen Jasso (Caesar Augustus and King Herod)
Staff members were Czenobia Christian, principal, Lesley Knox, Christania Reed, Georgette P. Ward, and Louis C. Ward, teachers, and Nakia Myles.
